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PIH Health Named Most Wired Award Recipient for Second Consecutive Year

American Hospital Association Recognized the Top Health Systems in the Nation in the Information Technology Field

PIH Health was named a 2014 Most Wired award recipient by Hospitals and Health Networks (H&HN), a monthly publication from the American Hospital Association (AHA) on Wednesday, July 9, 2014. This is the second consecutive year that PIH Health has received this prestigious award.

H&HN annually surveys the nation’s healthcare systems on their use of high-tech communications, and its Most Wired status is awarded to innovators in the Information Technology (IT) field. Criteria must be met in all four focus areas in order to be considered: infrastructure, business and administrative management, clinical quality and safety, and clinical integration.

“Once again receiving the Most Wired award is an honor and a testament to PIH Health’s commitment to embracing technology as a tool to provide better care for our patients,” said PIH Health Chief Administrative Officer Peggy Chulack.

Over the past several years, PIH Health has invested in the integration of electronic patient records while simultaneously ensuring compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). PIH Health has moved forward to address this issue by utilizing an Enterprise Patient Index (EPI) that seamlessly links patients across its hospital, ambulatory offices and home/hospice care. Future projects include implementing an electronic health record (EHR) system at PIH Health Hospital - Downey in late summer 2014. This foundation of the new EHR system at Downey was based on the award-winning system at the other PIH Health facilities. Most recently, PIH Health launched its new patient portal known as My PIH Health.

“Having data electronically through the portal enhances PIH Health’s ability to engage with patients so that they are more involved in their own care,” said Davis Lee MD FAAP, PIH Health chief medical information officer. “This new addition to our IT infrastructure definitely was a factor in us receiving this award and in keeping us on the cutting edge of the field.”

Health Care’s Most Wired Survey, conducted between January 15 and March 15, 2014, asked hospitals and health systems nationwide to answer questions regarding their IT initiatives. Respondents completed 680 surveys, representing 1,900 hospitals, or more than 30 percent of all United States hospitals.

“The Most Wired data show that shared health information allows clinicians and patients to have the information they need to promote health and make the most informed decisions about treatments,” said Rich Umbdenstock, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association. “Hospitals, their clinicians and their communities are doing tremendous work to enhance their IT systems in ways that support care and delivery improvement, and patient engagement goals.”

The July H&HN cover story detailing results is available at www.hhnmag.com. The formal award presentations will be made at the Health Forum and American Hospital Association Leadership Summit in San Diego on July 20-22, 2014.